Official: At least 10 interested in House seat

June 5, 2012

Associated Press

The woman who'll co-chair the committee that will pick a Democratic candidate to run for a southern Illinois congressional seat says at least 10 people are interested in entering the race.

Randolph County Circuit Clerk Barb Brown tells the Carbondale Southern Illinoisan that the application process involving the 12th Congressional District seat being vacated by Democrat Jerry Costello will run through June 15.

The search comes after Democratic nominee Brad Harriman abruptly withdrew last week from the race against Republican Jason Plummer. Harriman cited a worsening neurological condition he said wasn't life-threatening but that required surgery.

Brown isn't publicly identifying the 10 people to whom she's sent questionnaires as part of the vetting process.